Alberta votes decisively to remain in Canada, rejecting a path to a separation referendum

Voters in the Canadian province of Alberta have decisively rejected separatism in a referendum held on Monday, 19 October, with early results showing roughly three in four choosing to remain in Canada, CBC News, Global News and Politico reported.

The result

With more than one million votes counted by 12:30 a.m. local time, 76.5% had backed the option “Alberta should remain a province of Canada”, while 23.5% supported asking the provincial government to start the legal process for a binding referendum on separation, CBC reported. CBC’s Decision Desk, CTV and Global News all projected a “remain” win. The question itself was non-binding, and polls since the start of 2026 had consistently shown about 70% of Albertans wanting to stay in Canada, Global News noted.

The independence question was one of ten on the ballot. Five others concern immigration, such as greater provincial control over immigration and limits on access to provincially funded programmes, and four propose constitutional changes, according to Elections Alberta. Those results were still being counted.

Reactions

Premier Danielle Smith wrote on X that “Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada.” Earlier this month she said that if Albertans voted to remain, she would not hold another independence referendum while she is premier; she is due to address the province on Tuesday evening. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the result means “Albertans and all Canadians will move forward together with renewed purpose and high ambition.” Politico reported that pro-independence leaders vowed to keep up their campaign.

Markets welcomed the outcome: the Canadian dollar strengthened against the US dollar on Tuesday, Reuters reported.